James Dreyfus to star in LMTO's Candide

He joins Rob Houchen in the concert staging at Cadogan Hall

James Dreyfus will return to the role of Pangloss in London Musical Theatre Orchestra's concert staging of Candide at Cadogan Hall this month.

Dreyfus, who played the role in the Menier Chocolate Factory production in 2013, has theatre credits including The Producers, Breakfast at Tiffany's and Harvey.

He joins the previously announced Rob Houchen as Candide. The rest of the cast, directed by Shaun Kerrison, include Louise Gold (Blood Brothers), Michael Matus (The Phantom Of The Opera), Stewart Clarke (Easy Virtue) as Maximillian, Anna O'Byrne (The Phantom of the Opera) as Cunegonde and Jessica Duncan (Les Miserables) as Paquette.

Dreyfus said: "I am very excited to be joining the London Musical Theatre Orchestra for their evening at the Cadogan Hall, especially as it's to revisit Dr Pangloss in Candide. To be surrounded by such talented young singers and musicians is very comforting! Can't wait."

Candide tells the story of a young man determined to cling to his instructor's philosophy that "all is for the best in the best of all possible worlds" despite the many tragedies that he encounters. The musical features the songs "Glitter and Be Gay", "We Are Women" and "Make Our Garden Grow".

Based on Voltaire's novel, this concert production of Leonard Bernstein, Stephen Sondheim and Hugh Wheeler's musical will feature a 34-piece orchestra under the baton of conductor Freddie Tapner.